| Linksys E1200 | TP-LINK TL-WR841N | |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
| WiFi Performance | N300 WiFi (300 Mbps) | N300 WiFi (300 Mbps) |
| WiFi Band | 2.4GHz | 2.4GHz |
| Ethernet Ports | 4 Gigabit LAN port 1 Gigabit WAN port |
4 Gigabit LAN port 1 Gigabit WAN port |
| Security | WEP, WPA and WPA2 Personal and Enterprise, RADIUS | 64/128/152-bit WEP WPA WPA2 WPA-PSK WPA2-PSK |
| Antennas | Internal | Two 5dBi Fixed Omni Directional Antenna |
| Firewall Features | NAT SPI |
DoS, SPI Firewall IP Address Filter/MAC Address Filter/Domain Filter IP and MAC Address Binding IP and MAC Address Binding |
| MSRP | $49.99 | $29.99 |
The Linksys E1200 is a basic wireless router well suited for surfing the web and printing wirelessly in the home. This router incorporates five Ethernet ports and meets IEEE 802.11n Wi-Fi requirements and offers a data throughput of 300Mbps. It offers backwards compatibility for Wireless G devices. The E1200 is packaged with the router, user guide, setup software, Ethernet cable, and power adapter. The minimum system requirements are an internet browser and a wireless network enabled PC or Mac with CD/DVD drive.
Security
Linksys E1200 offers remarkable control over web surfing capabilities and internet access. In some cases, the device is used by parents to block specific pages and internet access for students on school nights. Visitors using the Linksys E1200 access the internet using a password-protected log-in. The guest must use a designated network and a password to connect to the internet. It is important to add that guests are not allowed to access any files or documents on the networked computers.
The E1200 incorporates state-of-the-art encryption technology. Linksys uses Wi-Fi Protected Access such as WPA/WPA2. There is also Wired Equivalent Privacy, or WEP, available for older Wi-Fi standards. In most cases, WEP is required when the E1200 connects to a Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service, or RADIUS, server.
The device has SPI and NAT firewall supports. SPI, or Stateful Packet Inspections, is useful for detecting spyware and malware. SPI examines data packets for threat signatures. NAT, or Network Address Translation, provides an IP address that represents the entire LAN.
Ease of Use
The Linksys E1200 allows users to create an Easy Setup Key. This feature is useful for connecting additional devices and computers. The router also uses an intuitive browser-based utility to manage advanced configuration settings. This option is typically for users with advanced knowledge who understand router administration.
This router includes a Universal Plug and Play option which allows Windows to automatically configure the Wi-Fi router. This configuration supports various internet applications such as gaming and conferencing. There is a simple Wi-Fi Protected Setup button that makes adding and configuring devices effortless.
In the event the router needs factory default settings, there are two methods to restore these settings. The first method involves using the browser to restore the settings via the Administration tab. The second method is completed by pressing and holding the device’s reset button for five seconds.
